Joburg street kids to get IDs
2005-03-24 17:08
Johannesburg - Gauteng MEC of social development Bob Mabaso and the deputy minister of home affairs, Malusi Gigaba, will hand 200 identity documents on Saturday to children living and working on the streets in Joubert Park.
The documents are needed to get access to government services and child-support grants.
According to the chief director of communications for home affairs, Nkosana Sibuyi, the hand-over comes after an initiative in February by Mabaso to help children living and working on the streets to apply for IDs and birth certificates.
"Getting these documents will not only help these children to reclaim their dignity as South Africans but will also help the
government to get accurate statistics," said Sibuyi.
Sibuyi said: "Conditions that push children on to the streets,
rendering them vulnerable, have to be addressed.
"It is during this Easter weekend period that all of us must do something in reclaiming these children from the streets and support vulnerable families and communities from where they come.
The children will be provided with free photographs of themselves as well.